Author Topic: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?  (Read 15082 times)

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Offline Fragil1ty

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Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:39:59 »
I'm just curious really, when I had my HHKB Pro 2 I primary used it for typing for the short duration that I had it but I tried to game on it and the biggest set back for me were only two things;
  • The lack of certain keys, so that would have to mean me re-binding certain keys, also the constant use of fn+1 for f1 and so on
  • The typing feels, although they were only 45g, they were a bit heavier (imo) than reds and this kind of set me back a little bit
So I'm just wondering, do any of you guys use a HHKB Pro 2 (in particular) for gaming, like rather extensively and if so, do you feel that there are any drawbacks in regards to it's popular compared switches (browns/reds)?

Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:42:24 »
I'm 99% sure there are at least a half dozen threads asking the same thing.

Offline sethk_

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:02:07 »
I use it for gaming. I have no issue with it for gaming. If you need more keys, buy a mmorpg mouse. I mostly play fps and single player games. If you play ARMA, you need to use a different board. Topre works fine, it feels amazing.

Offline byker

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:04:14 »
I am fine with my hhkb for gaming., its not ideal but it works. Most games I play don't use F-row keys so I am all good. I agree with ray, do some google-fu and you will find many threads regarding this.

Offline Novus

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:05:48 »
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.

Offline Purple Rain

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:09:47 »
Does your pinky get tired when gaming?? It looks like it would require some getting used to with the caps lock/control.

Offline Kira

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:14:10 »
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.

Offline derb2k2

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:26:35 »
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.

I agree. Browns are pretty damn good for gaming and in my opinion, are better than reds for double-tapping.

I can't really pass judgement on Topre for gaming, but it doesn't seem very optimal for it. For me, Topre is best for typing though and MX switches now pale in comparison.   :))
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Offline sorijealut

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:36:56 »
I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.

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Offline rowdy

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:43:37 »
There are dozens of threads about exactly this, and I get in trouble each time I list them all.

Yes.  Except for games that require quick or constant access to dedicated function keys or arrow keys.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

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Offline Novus

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 21:37:14 »
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.

Not really surprised really because the market back when mechs became more popular was blue and brown primarily. It's still kind of like that among the more popular brands like razer. Also sponsorships and things like that factor in.

Also I believe cherry mx red became popular because of sc2 pros

Offline hasu

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 05 February 2015, 22:51:52 »
HHKB has relatively slow scan rate. I don't have any problem myself but some gamer insisted that HHKB drops his stroke.
                                                                 
I don't game and don't know how fast scan rate is needed for game.

Offline MPZ

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #12 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:03:57 »
I feel like this really depends on the game. I have seen sc2 pros using pretty much every MX switch type and Topres in tournament play... and starcraft requires a LOT of keypresses, and they have to be fast. Obviously function etc. key availability is a factor depending on the game as well. Outside of that, I feel like it really comes down to personal preference and IMO, how big/strong your fingers are. I don't think I could game well at all on really stiff switches with my small hands. Basically, the answer to this seems to be an individual one.

Sorry that's not more helpful  :thumb: 

Offline Polymer

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #13 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:12:08 »
I'm sure people will get used to it..they're not all that different from a normal rubber dome keyboard in that regard...but I actually strongly prefer Cherry for gaming...It is a feel thing I think...It feels faster and I feel like I can spam and slam and not worry about it...Topre feels odd to me when I do that...

Offline Melvang

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #14 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:16:42 »
Scan rate is mostly marketing buzzword hype anyway.  Just game on whatever you feel comfortable. 
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Offline monotagary

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:33:54 »
I don't like gaming on my HHKB. I just don't find the layout all that great for games. On the other hand, I play a ton of League on my Realforce 55g, and I love that for games.

Offline skuko

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 03:30:00 »
i've been playing planetside 2 and guild wars 2 on my FC660C for months now, no problems (aside from having to use fn+number keys to switch positions in vehicles in planetside, but i got eventually used to that)


Offline Sencha

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 12:13:20 »
I game on the HHKB and FC660c. The feel of Topre switches mean I can't go back to using Reds now.

Offline flaming_june

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:01:25 »
Actually for me, in CS and other FPS, the HHKB layout is much better than the regular layout.  It allows for natural crouch and other movement of the fingers.  For any other game, it's frigging terrible.

I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.
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Offline sorijealut

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:11:30 »
Actually for me, in CS and other FPS, the HHKB layout is much better than the regular layout.  It allows for natural crouch and other movement of the fingers.  For any other game, it's frigging terrible.

I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.
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^ arguably the best carry player in all of Dota.

Yeah, I know what you mean, and I've been trying to better myself with the switched positions, but years of muscle memory is in the way atm.
I think the location for Ctrl being so far down is why pros always tilt their keyboards inward at an angle. The normal layout is pretty unnatural.

Offline saturnotaku

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:28:24 »
I use the function layer a lot when I game, so the HHKB is not practical for my purposes. I have no issues with Topre in terms of feel, though, as I played quite a bit on my Realforce 87U.

This being said, now that I've switched back to an MX board at home, I have to say I ever-so-slightly prefer it to the Realforce for gaming.

Offline snipars

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 14:18:55 »
Both topre switches and the hhkb layout are perfect for gaming in my opinion, although the switches are down to preference and the layout will be more convenient in some games than in others. 
i play csgo which only uses WASD, the FN keys and numbers 1-5, so it's fine, but if you're playing RTS games or something you might not have as much luck
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Offline epzy

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #22 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 14:36:56 »
I use my HHKB for WoW, CS:GO, LoL, etc and I love it. I had to re-bind a few keys, but it's not bad at all, in fact, it's better because I always hated having to reach for control and the F-keys whenever I used a TKL or full-size. In WoW I use tons of keybinds, but it ain't a problem.
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Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #23 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 18:07:10 »
I'm 99% sure there are at least a half dozen threads asking the same thing.

If that is true, then link me a few and I or a moderator can lock this post, I don't mind. (As I didn't see any on the first couple of pages).
« Last Edit: Fri, 06 February 2015, 18:10:28 by Fragil1ty »
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Offline pr0ximity

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Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
« Reply #24 on: Fri, 06 February 2015, 20:33:30 »
Love gaming on my 55g Realforce, but I don't do a ton of fast-paced gaming any more. I feel like the keys rebound quicker (or maybe just crisper) than with my MX Red Filco which is very nice.

Probably comes more down to your mechanics more than anything. I think Topre are better if your rapid keypresses are full-strokes (you let the keys reset all the way). Hovering around the actuation point isn't really great on Topre, so for FPS where you need to strafe quickly I'd say they can cause you problems. Quake strafe jumping is awesome on Topre, spacebar is very satisfying, but LG dueling is less great because of the strafing.

MOBA/RTS is great no matter what.
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